Forbidden Heat novel Chapter 166

“Welcome back home, Miss Natalia. Greetings, Master Zak,” Reiner said professionally before he offered us a bow.

“Take care of Natalia,” Zak said briskly before he placed his warm hand on the top of my head.

Before I could say anything, Zak turned to leave and soon I was alone with Reiner in the doorway.

“You should come inside. Frankly, you look half dead at best,” Reiner commented as he pulled me by the arm inside the mansion after him.

…

I don’t know how many times this scene has taken place before, but I was sure that it has happened often lately, I thought as I glanced over at Reiner who was sitting on the side of my bathtub. Reiner had prepared a warm bath for me, and he had decided to keep me company while I soak in the warm water. I felt so tired, but the peaceful silence was helping heal my disturbed mind.

“Natalia, is everything ok?” Reiner spoke up softly. His voice full of worry and concern for me.

“Yea,” I replied emotionlessly as I closed my eyes.

“Sorry, wrong question. You can let me know if something is troubling you, I may not be able to help, but I’m willing to listen,” Reiner kindly offered.

“Thank you,” I replied as I offered him the best smile I could muster up at that moment.

Without the will to carry on the conversation Reiner had put in the effort to start, we lapsed back again into silence. Once more I closed my eyes as my mind wandered around touching various thoughts on its own.

I think I must have dozed off in the bathtub because the next thing I knew, I was being scooped up into Reiner’s strong arms. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck as I leaned my face against his strong chest. Feeling his familiar warmth and scent filled me with positive energy and a sense of peace.

“You should not sleep here for too long, I’ll take you to bed so you can sleep properly,” Reiner coax softly and sweetly into my ear before he carried me all the way to my bed.

I felt the softness of the bed against my naked back when Reiner carefully placed me onto the bed. I offered him a weak smile as thanks and was rewarded with his warm smile. Having Reiner here with me was much better than being all alone, especially in times like these.

“It’s ok, R. I’ll sleep naked…” I told him softly when I figured that he was going to grab my clothes to dress me for bed. I honestly didn’t have the physical or mental strength to deal with that task right now.

“Alright,” Reiner readily agreed. I guess he could sense my exhaustion.

“Thank you…R…” I whispered as I felt my eyelids grow even heavier and I closed my eyes once more.

“Good night, Natalia,” Reiner said before placing a tender kiss on my forehead.

…

When I woke up it was still dark. Glancing at the clock showed that it was early in the morning a little before the break of dawn. Unsurprisingly, Reiner had fallen sleep in his seat next to my bed while holding my hand. I smiled a little at the sight of his handsome sleeping face that I could make out in the dim light.

It didn’t surprise me anymore that he would be by my side, and I had to make sure that I appreciated his care for me every time. I refused to take his kindness for granted. I must have stirred around too much when I woke because in the next instant, Reiner was already fully awake and alert.

“Morning, Natalia,” Reiner greeted me with a smile as his long fingers caressed the back of the hand that he held in his.